We had graduates from our fall class, Elana, Dean and Baby Eli, tell us their birth story at last night’s class.  This family had an outcome that was very close to the plan they wrote using information they learned in class, research on the internet, and feedback from their care provider.

They emphasized that although you write a plan, it is also important to be flexible and make decisions that result in having a healthy mom and a healthy baby.  Here are the questions that the class asked after hearing their birth story:

1.  In response to hearing that Mom had to wait to push until the doctor arrived from her office hours:

A coach asked:  I thought your doctor would be at the hospital when you are in labor?

Answer:  It depends on your doctor’s practice protocol.  In a large practice with several doctors, there is probably a doctor on call at the hospital every day – they take turns doing 24 hour shifts at the hospital.  In a single-practitioner office, they may have a doctor they partner with so that they can have time off and do “on-call” for each other.  This particular doctor works 3 miles away from the hospital where she has privileges, and she had been in contact with the nurses’ station throughout the day to check in on Mom’s progress.  If you have a concern about who will attend your birth, clarify what your doctor’s protocol is and figure out if their protocol matches your expectations.

 

2.  Upon hearing that our graduates asked almost every care person that attended to mom if they had read the family’s birth plan, a student asked:  So you walk into the hospital with a piece of paper - what do you do with it?  Who do you give it to?

Answer:  You bring your birth plan with you to the hospital.  Bring several copies just in case a nurse or care provider hasn’t read it in your file before they visit you in your labor and delivery room.  If you arrive at a point in your labor that you are admitted, you give one to the triage nurse upon admission.  Keep the others with you so that you can post one in your room, and pass them out if necessary.

     A birth plan informs your care team about your wishes for a normal, uncomplicated labor.  It can also outline your wishes in the case of an emergency situation.  It also serves as a point of reference for any decisions you are faced with in your labor.  Before you were in the heat of the moment, how did you feel about the options and choices that you are faced with during labor and delivery?  This helps remind you and your care providers what your wishes are regarding your care.

     In the event that you have to deviate from your birth plan, you and your partner have probably already discussed how you feel about different options in the process of preparing your birth plan.  You are both probably in a better position to make an informed decision regarding Mom’s care.

     This couple had also outlined their wishes for baby’s care after he was born – they did express that the only person who probably didn’t read the birth plan was the baby nurse.  In the wave of emotion that they were caught up in after the birth, they forgot to ask if she had read the birth plan. Although she didn’t follow their exact wishes, they felt like baby had the best care possible given the lack of communication.

 

3.  After hearing Mom’s side of the story, a pregnant student asked:  So what does it feel like?  Is it what you expected?

Graduate’s Answer:  If you have ever had cramps in the abdominal area, or (sorry if this sounds gross) you have had a big bowel movement, it’s just magnified.  They are sensations you have already had, just “bigger”.  It will feel like the biggest poop in your life, but it will be such a relief, it will feel so good when you are holding your baby.  If it tells you anything, I would do it again!

Disclaimer:  The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes

available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American

Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.